Mr. Kirk Monroe Johnson

Kirk Monroe Johnson, 68, passed away at his home in Spruce Pine, NC on November 18, 2022, due to complications related to heart disease. He was born on August 5, 1954, in Augusta, GA, the firstborn of Victor L. and Val B. Johnson. Kirk resided in Spruce Pine, NC and Vero Beach, FL. In 1968, the family moved from Augusta to Asheville, NC where Kirk graduated from Asheville Country Day School, Class of 1972. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a B.A. degree in geography. Following graduation, Kirk started his career in retail management at Woolworth’s, and then Sky City Stores. He joined the U.S. Army in 1984 and retired in 2005 as Sergeant First Class. During his years of service, Kirk received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm during which he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars indicating participation in ground operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. Kirk was also awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal from both the government of Saudi Arabia and of Kuwait. He was fluent in five languages. He used his Russian and Serb-Croatian language skills in Germany and Russia where he was involved in important treaty negotiations and contributed to matters of national-level intelligence. He received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for his insightful contributions. For his time served in Germany, Russia, and Africa he received the NATO Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon. Kirk was gifted in many areas. He excelled in music (piano, guitar, banjo, drums) and drawing. He was passionate about the world and U.S. history, and genealogy and loved learning about different cultures through his many global travels. Music was a mainstay and when Kirk’s father brought home “Meet the Beatles”, he was hooked and shortly thereafter he formed a garage band with his two sisters as his biggest fans. He was truly a connoisseur of good food, spirits, and all types of music genres. His world travels regularly combined his love of international cuisine and places of historical significance. To the very end, Kirk held fast to his happy memories of being raised in Augusta, GA, and Asheville, NC. While he loved Augusta, he grew to love and embrace Southern Appalachian/Blue Ridge Mountain culture and beauty. Several of his closest, lifelong friendships were made during his childhood years. At heart, Kirk was a man with strong faith and devotion to family, honesty, kindness, humor, intellect, and thoughtfulness. In his final years, he loved nothing more than to spend time with his two younger sisters reliving the stories and laughter they shared while being raised by their beloved parents, Val and Vic Johnson. Kirk’s life was immeasurably enhanced by his 29-year marriage to his ex-wife, Martha, and they remained the closest of friends. He is survived by his only child, Julian Johnson of Boston, MA, sisters and brothers-in-law, Vicki Johnson Fritsch and Ed Fritsch, Diane Johnson Wilbanks and Marlan Wilbanks, nieces, Lauren Seiple Crites, Sarah Victoria Fritsch, and nephew, John Thomas Fritsch, as well as beloved cousins, aunts, and uncles. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 10th, at 11:00 am at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Asheville, NC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Kirk’s favorite charities: Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), United Negro College Fund, Catholic Charities USA, or International Orthodox Christian Charities. Morris Funeral & Cremation Care is serving the family and condolences and memories may be sent to the family through our website at www.morrisfamilycare.com.

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Mr. Kirk Monroe Johnson

August 5, 1954 - November 18, 2022